The undersigned organizations express their deep concern about the renewed wave of violence affecting civilians in the city of Aleppo. Once again, civilians are bearing the greatest burden of hostilities and the political deadlock among multiple parties in Syria, putting their lives, dignity, and fundamental rights at grave risks. This renewed violence undermines social cohesion and erodes the prospects for building a safe, free, and inclusive Syria for all Syrian citizens.
The undersigned organizations remind all parties to the conflict that they are obligated under international law to protect civilians and to refrain from launching any indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks that could harm civilians or civilian objects. In this regard, the organizations call on the Syrian Transitional Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces to immediately cease any military or security actions that violate these obligations, and to take all possible measures to prevent harm to civilians. The protection of civilians is not optional; it is a legal obligation under international law and a fundamental condition for any serious path toward justice and sustainable peace, and for any effort aimed at building a new Syria.
In particular, we urge the Syrian Transitional Government, following its announcement of a military operation in certain neighbourhoods, to halt any current or future military operations in densely populated areas whenever such action poses a risk of being indiscriminate and endangering civilians.
In this context, we affirm that the Syrian Transitional Government bears an enhanced duty to ensure the protection of all Syrian citizens, and that it must refrain from carrying out any military action where guarantees for the protection of civilians cannot be secured. Facilitating the passage of civilians does not constitute a substitute for the duty to protect them, especially in situations where the urgency of events, the density of the areas concerned, or the conditions of displacement do not allow for effective protection from violence.
The undersigned organizations also express their deep concern regarding the humanitarian situation faced by families displaced from areas witnessing clashes, as well as families who remain trapped in these areas, in light of the urgent need for an immediate humanitarian response. The organizations call on humanitarian actors to respond to the needs of those affected, including by providing shelter, essential relief items, and life-saving assistance, enabling them to endure harsh weather conditions until hostilities cease and they can return to their areas. The organizations further stress the need for all parties to ensure the protection of displaced families from any violence, collective punishment, or discrimination they may face in the areas to which they have fled. Taking comprehensive and rapid measures to document violations is also essential to ensure accountability.
The undersigned organizations warn of the risk of escalating social polarization accompanying this violence, as has happened during previous events, and remind all that media outlets and public actors bear a responsibility to uphold objectivity and professionalism in reporting, to refrain from hate speech and incitement or any practices that may lead to violence or discrimination, and to ensure that media coverage or public discourse does not contribute to further harm, stigmatization, or escalation. Accordingly, the organizations affirm that the primary responsibility lies with the government to prevent and combat hate speech and incitement, by adopting the necessary legal and institutional measures to criminalize it and hold those responsible to account.
In conclusion, we call on the Syrian Transitional Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces to draw lessons from previous waves of violence that Syria witnessed in 2025, and to take serious steps to strengthen preventive measures and ensure that all Syrians are protected from collective targeting, demonstrating a tangible commitment to building a free and safe Syria for all.
The protection of civilians throughout Aleppo must be at the heart of all security, political, and military decisions. Continuing to neglect the protection of civilians will only lead to further loss of life, devastating consequences for children, deeper societal divisions, and the erosion of any possibility of building a free and safe Syria where all people live in dignity and without fear.
Signatory organizations:
- Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression
- Women Now for Development
- Seen for Civil Peace
- Bader Organisation for Community Development
- DemoS
- RÊ for rehabilitation and development
- Action for Sama
- Media For Women
- Arzo
- The Syrian Legal Development Programme
- Humanitarian and Development Cooperation – HDC
- The Day After
- Baytna
- PÊL- Civil Waves
- Taa Marbouta
- Ambassadors Association for Persons with Disabilities
- Shawshka Women’s Association
- Lelun association for victims
- The Syria Campaign
- Dan for Relief and Development
- Dawlaty
- Synergy Association for Victims
- RP Organization for Community Leadership
- Salam for hope
- PEACE SHE LEADAR NET WORK
- ASHTI Foundation
- Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights
- Malva Organization for Arts, Culture and Education
- Analysis and Strategic Studies Organization
- Center for Civil and Democratic Society
- Transformative pathways
- Defacto dialogue platform
- Ashna for development organization
- Artist Organization for Culture and Development
- Humanitarian Independent Message Organization
- Euphrates NGO
- Rose for support and empowerment
- White Hope Organization
- Citizens For Syria
- Ahimsa for Nonviolence
- Women of tomorrow
- Access Center for Human Rights (ACHR)
- Jho
- Doz
- Caesar Files for Justice (CF4J)
- Ashti center
- Payam
- Kongra star
- Baladna institution
- JAWA
- ForFeminist Organization
- NUON FOR PEACE BUILDING
- Roj kar Relief and Development
- Accountability Advocates Organization
- Safa Development Association
- Dozana
- ARAS
- Roj ava
- Diblomasi kongira star
- Dar Justice
- Equal Citizenship Center
- Local Development and Small-Projects Support (LDSPS)
- Danish-Syrian Cultural Association
- Syrian Network in Denmark
- Women’s Empowerment Office
- Insight Organization
- Bidayetna
- Kobani for Relief and Development
- Musawa
- Syrian Women’s Association
- Women Survivors
- Adad
- Syrian Kurdish Journalists Network
- Mary for culcher
- Rp
- Syrian Women’s Council
- CSEU
- Taafi
- Association of Detainees and the Missing in Saydnaya Prison
- Human Rights Guardians
- Syrian Network for Human Rights
- Mozn
- Civil center
- Nûdem
- Tigris Organization for Development and Environment
- Syrian Democratic Party
- Network of Statelessness Victims in al-Hasakah (NSVH)
- Ahlam saghira
- Synergy Association for Victims
- Ella organization for development and peacebuilding
- Syrian Foundation for Research and Sustainable Development
- Women Initiatives
- NES NGO PLATFORM
- dijla Organization for Development and Environment
- SCSD
- Yekpar Culture and Art Association
- Alzajel
- Ahlam Saghira to Support and Empower Women
- Ezdina Organization
- DUDERI e.V.
- fariq sunaae almustaqbal
- Vulnter to build
- Fair
- Zela NGO
- Women For Peace
- https://www.facebook.com/share/1APC1tnA55/
- Organiz tara
- Das Leben .ev.
- Hori Organisation for Guman Rights
- DOZ
- Sara Organisation for Combatting Political Violence against Women
- we care
- Huquqyat
- Syrian Archive – Mnemonic
- Green Tress
- Families for Freedom
- souryanaalamal
- Missing Persons’ Families Platform in North and East Syria (MPFP-NES)
- Kesh Malek Organization
